{"id":3251,"date":"2026-09-01T13:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T17:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/?p=3251"},"modified":"2026-11-06T13:46:56","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T18:46:56","slug":"september-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/newsletter\/september-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Smith Center Newsletter &#8211; Sep. 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group newsletter-article is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><nav style=\"--separator: &quot;\/&quot;\" class=\"wp-block-breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\"><ol><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/article-directory\/\">Article Directory<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/.\/newsletter\/\">Smith Center Newsletter<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-palette-color-7-color has-palette-color-5-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1 is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-50c5a58c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-container-content-bdf48a29\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1.png\" alt=\"Ohio Wesleyan University logo\" class=\"wp-image-1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1.png 512w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-270x270.png 270w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-192x192.png 192w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-32x32.png 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-766dbf6f wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-palette-color-7-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\">Smith Center Newsletter<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">September 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-palette-color-8-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7a380d4a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introducing the Smith Center Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We will send out a Smith Center Newsletter once a month, with each issue featuring a Teaching Tip, a timely article, and additional content. If you have any feedback on our newsletter or wish to opt-out, please email <a href=\"mailto:smithcenter@owu.edu\">smithcenter@owu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Smith Center Has A New Website!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b85e85b2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1f26014c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here you&#8217;ll find<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Info about Smith Center events<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Teaching Resources and Strategies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Resources for New Faculty<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Scholarship Support &amp; Grants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Articles about Teaching &amp; AI and more!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-container-content-1387b69e\" style=\"margin-right:0;margin-left:0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"399\" height=\"393\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/09\/image-3.png\" alt=\"QR code that redirects to Smith Center website\" class=\"wp-image-2312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/09\/image-3.png 399w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/09\/image-3-300x295.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Welcome To Our Fabulous New Faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/unnamed-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1943\" style=\"width:665px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/unnamed-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/unnamed-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/unnamed-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/unnamed-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/08\/unnamed.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From left to right, starting with the back row: Patrick Wensink, Matt Bowser, Caio Batista de Melo, Hayden Bishop, Abby Trollinger, Esther Akheituame, Leslie MacColman&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teaching Tip of the Month<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What\u2019s better: Requiring hand-written notes or allowing students to take notes digitally?&nbsp;<\/strong>Check out this month\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1W1WMTWtxFTL8i_SZsMznnlyWENISNussHp4SwZ8f15k\/edit?usp=sharing\">Teaching Tip on Note-Taking<\/a> to see what the research says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tech and AI Toolbox<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/howtoteachwithai.substack.com\/p\/43-claude-skills-that-give-you-the\"><u>How To Teach With AI: 43 Claude Skills that give you the teaching assistant team your department will never fund&nbsp;<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This Substack article explains how you can use Claude Skills to help streamline your workflow starting with Course Design and Planning, Assessment and Assignment Design, Grading and Feedback, even Classroom Engagement and Management, Student Communication and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Featured Books &amp; Articles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/citl.news.niu.edu\/2025\/08\/25\/when-students-dont-do-the-reading-and-what-we-can-do-about-it\/\"><u>When students don\u2019t do the reading (and what we can do about it)<\/u><\/a>\u201d by Lindsay Vreeland (2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you have an article or book you\u2019d like to see featured here? Send us an email!<br><a href=\"mailto:bjbird@owu.edu\"><u>Barb Bird<\/u><\/a> (Director of the Smith Center)<br><a href=\"mailto:arcolvin@owu.edu\"><u>Andrea Colvin<\/u><\/a> (Assistant Director of the Smith Center)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grants, Funding &amp; Fellowship Opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TLI Grant Applications are due October 22 at 11:59pm!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">TLI grants can provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Scholarship support<\/em><\/strong>: travel for on-site research, purchase a dataset, provide stipends for participants in a study, pay fees for writing an open-access book or article.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Teaching support<\/em><\/strong>: attend or present at a teaching conference, take an online training in a particular pedagogy (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teambasedlearning.org\/\"><u>team-based learning<\/u><\/a>), pay an honorarium to meet with an expert in a type of pedagogy you want to improve in (e.g., using AI to deepen &amp; reveal student thinking, adopting alternative grading, expanding <a href=\"https:\/\/udloncampus.cast.org\/page\/udl_about\"><u>Universal Design for Learning<\/u><\/a>), explore a location for a travel learning course.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Interdisciplinary support<\/em><\/strong>: cross-disciplinary scholarship or teaching projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the revised <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1rBErV6EgW2OSKeG5mUvPgvct77yt0brl9FtuXeqOBGs\/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.kuu9924d9w7q\"><u>TLI Guidelines<\/u><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ready to submit? Here is the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/hEi3r2Vrbu93mNua9\"><u>TLI Proposal Submission Form<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Upcoming Smith Center Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Scholarship Roundtable &#8211; Monday, Sept. 21, 12-1, Slocum 201, Lunch provided<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Smith Center invites you to our first Scholarship Roundtable. Come for lunch and hear from Chris Fink (HHK\/Public Health), Gabriella Friedman (English), and Hank Blume (Classics) about the research they did during their spring sabbatical. There will be time for questions and conversation. Sign up <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSctlfcWwfp86ouKgLGHAsbP5osSWHLDTXXnA7tB_L9lyLgqLQ\/viewform?usp=publish-editor\">here<\/a> if you\u2019d like to have lunch<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MLA-Sponsored Webinar on \u201cDesigning AI-Resilient Assessment and Grading\u201d &#8211; Thursday, Sept. 24, 2-3pm ET.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This webinar will support the development of AI-resilient assessment practices for a variety of modalities and institutional contexts.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/webinars.mla.org\/webinar\/designing-ai-resilient-assessment-and-grading\/?utm_campaign=webinarsep26&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=mlaoutreach\">Learn more and register<\/a> for this free webinar to get strategies for assessing student writing and research in the era of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Smith Center Conversations &#8211; Wed, Sept. 30th, 12-1, Slocum 201, Lunch provided.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we see students struggle with reading complex texts, our natural impulse is often to assign less reading. However, some faculty have found that students can and will engage with challenging texts when explicitly taught <em>how<\/em> to read disciplinary texts.Join colleague Erin Flynn (Philosophy) for a practical conversation on strategies to teach disciplinary reading, starting with Erin\u2019s explanation of how he teaches both majors and non-majors to navigate professional philosophy articles. We will discuss these strategies as well as your own strategies and questions, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How can we make implicit reading strategies in our disciplines explicit to novices?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How does disciplinary reading competence affect our students\u2019 sense of belonging within our discipline or in academic work more generally?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This 3-page article will serve as a starting point:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1tjzuamwjpQ63Gd187337McA_M7JAzIB9\/view?usp=sharing\"><u>Using Scientific literature<\/u><\/a>. If you have limited time, just read the abstract. If you would like a hard copy brought to your office, please indicate that on the sign-up form:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/Zpikh7nLiikVv8ds9\"><u>Sign up for Teaching Disciplinary Reading<\/u><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teaching Circle &#8211; Oct. 1st, 2026, 12-1pm, Slocum 201, Pizza provided!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are bringing back the Teaching Circle! For those who are newer to OWU, these are lunch gatherings to share ideas, strategies, or challenges and connect with colleagues. If you are interested in participating, please fill out this Teaching Circle form. Questions? Contact <a href=\"mailto:bjbird@owu.edu\">Barb Bird<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apply to participate in the GLCA Conference featuring Regan Gurung!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/regangurung.com\/about\/\"><u>Regan Gurung<\/u><\/a>&nbsp;will be the featured speaker at a special day-long workshop focused on practical strategies to improve student success in the classroom. Our goal is to have cross-institutional conversations on critical challenges faculty have with helping their students succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Date and time<\/strong>: Saturday, February 6, 2027, 9-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Location<\/strong>: Ohio Wesleyan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Purpose<\/strong>: To enhance and deepen the culture of student success across GLCA campuses&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deadline to apply:<\/strong> September 18th&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Form to sign up:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/6tXqdkBcKTkMJdXa9\"><u>Feb. 6 GLCA Teaching Conference<\/u><\/a>&nbsp;<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Just for Laughs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"609\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/09\/image-1.png\" alt=\"Image of class taking photos of a projector screen using phones. Text on the image states &quot;and then the teacher said you may take notes&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-2186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/09\/image-1.png 576w, https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/227\/2026\/09\/image-1-284x300.png 284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-palette-color-8-color has-palette-color-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-3 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.156), 1rem);\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-palette-color-7-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4\">Need Support?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSf3RFvqNndaStLnfCDEGWMxRU7zEKd77Elv0fBNWut7IwSQSw\/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=107109696282734851061\">Request a confidential consultation<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSd3Q-2wDT4qi_QKHDQp1OHu020LIphMBXgAYAqfUeNPrDahMQ\/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=107109696282734851061\">Request a formative teaching observation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdEzzpSPhblsndXCoZvS86Rf1Yn8PWKZ0VIYsBDue_lxFBS9w\/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=107109696282734851061\">Request assistance with midsemester instructional feedback<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-palette-color-7-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5\">Stay Connected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/\">Smith Center Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/calendar.google.com\/calendar\/embed?src=c_a6eeca8add56eac42d635e2e91836eb2a418e5106b216402ce034ec5ad11cacf%40group.calendar.google.com&amp;ctz=America%2FNew_York\">Smith Center Happenings Calendar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"mailto:bjbird@owu.edu\">Email Barb Bird<\/a>&nbsp;(Director of Smith Center)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"mailto:arcolvin@owu.edu\">Email Andrea Colvin<\/a>&nbsp;(Assistant Director of the Smith Center)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow us on Instagram <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/owusmithcenter\">@owusmithcenter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introducing the Smith Center Newsletter and Website!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2403,"featured_media":3549,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsletter"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2403"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3251"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3412,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251\/revisions\/3412"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.owu.edu\/smith-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}